OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Authorities say a Long Beach man in jail awaiting trial on other charges plotted to have a Thurston County detective killed.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office says 59-year-old Royce Lynn Baxter has been in Thurston County Jail since December on first-degree burglary and stalking charges.
Investigators say while in custody Baxter conspired to kill detective David Haller and the husband of his apparent stalking victim. Authorities learned of the plot from another inmate. They say Baxter took significant steps to involve other people in the plan.
The Olympian newspaper reports sheriff’s deputies arrested Baxter Saturday on investigation of criminal conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. His court date is set for Monday.
